Free Secrets of Paternity by Susan Crosby Page B

serving when the entrées are up?”
    â€œRafael will assign who helps. But thanks.” She walked away before Rafael, who seemed to see and hear everything, even if he wasn’t in sight, caught her. Knowing she couldn’t slip away to call Kevin before his two o’clock class frustrated her even more, but she couldn’t take any chances. Not today. So, she wouldn’t know what happened until he got home after five.
    All because of James.
    Oh, get real, she told herself. She wasn’t mad because Rafael had chewed her out. She was mad because James hadn’t told her he had a…fiancée, apparently.
    And why should that bother her? It made her life much less messy, if James wasn’t available for a relationship other than what he built with Kevin. Granted, she would welcome James into her life if Kevin wanted her to, but beyond that there wasn’t a reason to learn more about each other.
    Easy come, easy go.
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    â€œWho was the waitress?” Cassie asked James as they headed to their cars after lunch.
    â€œHer name tag said Venus. ”
    â€œNot the America’s Sweetheart, Jamey. The other one. The redhead with the short hair and red lipstick.”
    â€œYou don’t miss much.”
    â€œI’m not supposed to miss much.”
    They reached Cassie’s car. “Her name is Caryn Brenley.”
    â€œBrenley?” Her voice pitched higher. She grabbed his arm. “You found your child?”
    â€œHe found me. Well, she did, actually. His mother. Then he did.”
    â€œA boy.”
    â€œYeah.”
    â€œHow do you feel?”
    â€œI don’t know yet. Honestly, Cass. It’s still confusing.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œLong story, and we both need to get back to work.”
    She unlocked her car but didn’t open the door. “When did you meet him?”
    â€œSaturday.”
    â€œAnd you’re just now telling me?”
    â€œI called. You weren’t home. Then I realized I needed to let it sink in first.”
    â€œThe mom’s pretty. Awfully thin, though.”
    â€œShe’s been dealing with a lot over the past year.”
    â€œHow about your old friend, her husband?”
    â€œDied a year ago. Listen, I’ll catch you up on everything, but not now.”
    Cassie cocked her head. “Why’d you bring me here with you?”
    â€œI wanted to tell her something, and to watch her in action, frankly. I didn’t think I should be sitting there alone—it would be too obvious. I hadn’t counted on her not working the dining room.” He looked back at the building. “I think she’s upset with me for coming.”
    â€œWell…yeah.”
    â€œWhy do you say it like that?”
    â€œIt’s her place of business. You intruded. She probably has rules forbidding mingling with the customers. Everyplace I waited tables had a similar rule. Not that we always obeyed it.”
    Why hadn’t he considered that? He looked toward the dining room windows, could see people still sitting at tables. Had he caused a problem for her?
    â€œI can’t go back and ask,” he said to Cassie. “If she’s in trouble for it, I would only make it worse.”
    â€œYou’ll figure out something.” She hugged him. “I’m so happy for you.”
    â€œDon’t be happy yet. There’s a lot to work out between the three of us.”
    â€œIt’ll be worth the effort.” She stepped back then opened her car door. “You coming into the office today?”
    â€œRight behind you.”
    He waited until she backed out before he walked back to where his car was parked, closer to the building. He looked into the window again and saw Caryn standing there, looking back. He lifted a hand. She turned away.
    Unpredictable. Why the hell had he thought he would like that about her?
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    Shortly after five o’clock James parked in front of Caryn and